PH can become region’s next tech hub, says Japanese firm

MANILA  -The Philippines has the potential to become the next technology hub in Southeast Asia with the entry of more global companies, according to a Japanese cloud-based solutions provider.

“The Philippines has an opportunity to attract more foreign companies to set up tech hubs in the country that serve the wider Asean region, especially for software development and engineering talent,” Sansan executive officer Fujikura Shigemoto told the Inquirer.

Shigemoto said the country was gaining recognition for its “high-level information technology education and large pool of talented engineers.”

Still, he stressed the need to improve the quality of education and training in the Philippines through investment in educational infrastructure.

“This should include initiatives to partner with leading technology firms and educational institutions to provide enhanced educational opportunities and training programs,” he explained.

The Sansan official also suggested creating a conducive investment climate for technology companies, including startups looking to set up shop locally.

“Next, it needs to promote talent mobility by creating policies that make it easier for skilled workers to move to the country and to remain in the country,” Shigemoto said. “This should include clear and simple immigration policies, as well as visa and work permit policies that make it easier for talented workers to stay and work in the country.”

Given the bullish outlook, the company established the Sansan Global Development Center in Cebu as part of an expansion plan.

Sansan, whose main customers include maritime, logistics, construction and real estate, is eyeing to hire up to 100 employees in its local facility.

It provides technology support to enterprises, including digital transformation solutions.

According to a study by Dell Technologies, only less than 10 percent of the Philippine enterprises and organizations were able to digitally pivot right away amid the rise of hybrid work setup during the pandemic but the majority was open to ride on the trend to ensure business continuity.

Some 36 percent, meanwhile, said they were holding back and just observing for now to see how the digital transformation impacted other organizations.

“Today, businesses aspiring for sustainable success need to be asking themselves how they can thoughtfully and purposefully help their people navigate further change,” Dell Technologies Philippines country general manager Ronnie Latinazo said earlier. INQ

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